October 1, 2021

Dear Community Partner:
                                          
Thank you for your ongoing partnership in our shared commitment to serve New Yorkers in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following our standing weekly call, we continue to share important updates as well as an ongoing synopsis of the information shared in prior communications which can be found on our DSS COVID-19 Community Updates page. We encourage you to use and share this link to answer questions on the many topics we have covered during the pandemic.
 
To be added to the invitations for the weekly briefing calls or to the distribution list for this weekly update, please send an email request to dssoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
 
We appreciate your ongoing participation in these calls and continuing to raise important issues that we are able to address in this weekly communication of the latest information, which you can share with the clients you serve. We welcome your continued questions and comments in order to help us make sure we are providing the most relevant information and clarifications about the evolving public benefits and government services landscape affecting our shared clients. 
 
COVID-19 Vaccination Information

The NYC vaccine referral bonus program continues to be available to small businesses, including restaurants, civic organizations, including community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and Parent-Teacher Associations. These are all eligible to receive a $100 vaccine referral bonus for each employee or customer that they refer to a City-run vaccine site for their first shot. The referred individual is still eligible to receive their own $100 bonus. To sign up for the program businesses and organizations should use the same form we have previously shared, available here.
 
The City has created a vaccine fact sheet which can be found here, and is available in additional languages here.
 
NYC Mobile Vaccine Buses continue to provide vaccines. The full schedule of mobile vaccine locations can be found online here. Walk-ups are welcome and you can also book in advance through the Vax4NYC website.
 
As a reminder, New Yorkers ages 12 years and older can continue to receive their COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment at select sites across NYC. Sites can be found here.
 
While walk-up vaccines are available at City-operated vaccination sites, appointments can still be made by using vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.

Vaccination and Testing Apps

New Yorkers can meet vaccine and/or testing requirements by carrying their paper vaccination card with them or scanning and storing it in one of two authorized mobile apps - Excelsior Pass Wallet and NYC Covid Safe.

The Excelsior Pass Wallet, developed for New York State, allows an individual to find and store their proof of vaccination right on their phone with a QR code, or to print out their QR code instead. The app will only work for people who have been vaccinated in New York, as it confirms the vaccination information against city or state records. The app, called NYS Wallet, is available for download on iPhone and Android phones.
The NYC Covid Safe app doesn’t connect directly to vaccine records. The app allows a person to upload a vaccine card and/or a recent COVID test. The vaccine card will stay on the app unless removed, but test results will disappear from the app after seven days. The app is also available for download on iPhone and Android phones.
 
COVID-19 Testing
 
Free in-home COVID PCR testing is now available for all immunocompromised New Yorkers and people 65+. Call 929-298-9400 to schedule an appointment.
 
Free testing continues to be available throughout the five boroughs. A schedule of mobile testing locations throughout the City as well as detailed information on locations and types of testing offered at regular testing sites (including rapid testing and antibody tests) can be found here. Locations of testing sites can also be accessed by texting “COVID TEST” to 855-48. These are no cost testing sites open to all New Yorkers.
 
The Test-and-Trace corps offers the COVID 19 Wait Times Dashboard, which displays estimated wait times for NYC Health + Hospitals COVID-19 testing locations. This wait time information is updated by site staff every two hours.
 
Please note that NYC Health + Hospitals COVID-19 testing will be at the two sites below on Monday, October 4 through Friday, October 8 from 8am-7pm:
 
  • Coney Island: 3050 West 21st Street, Brooklyn, NY 11224
  • Staten Island: 201 Bay Street, Staten Island, NY 10301
 
State Waiver Extensions
 
Starting in October 2021, recent legislation will make permanent our ability to conduct telephonic interviews for Cash Assistance applications and recertifications as well as screenings for drug/alcohol needs and domestic violence. To bridge the gap between the expiration of the prior waiver and the implementation of the new legislation, OTDA has extended the existing telephone interview waiver through December 31, 2021.
 
Additionally, OTDA has extended the following SNAP waivers through December 31, 2021:

  • Permission to submit SNAP applications by telephone with HRA staff.
  • The SNAP partial interview waiver.
 
State OTDA Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Program Updates
 
Please continue to encourage everyone who may be eligible to apply for ERAP, and please remember that help is available for landlords and tenants across the city through a network of DSS contracted community-based organizations: https://nyc.gov/erap. Questions can also be answered via the State’s ERAP call center: 844-NY1RENT (844-691-7368) or the hearing-impaired TTY phone number: 1-833-843-8829.
 
Additional resources are available for download to help clients access this benefit:


All are available in additional languages here.
 
ERAP Denial/Partial Acceptance Information for One-Shot Deal Applicants
 
In accordance with OTDA’s directive, clients who have received a denial or partial acceptance of an ERAP application from the State may now apply for a One-Shot Deal/Special Grant. Confirmation of the ERAP application denial or partial acceptance from OTDA can be provided in hard copy or email format.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) 2021/22 Season
 
The HEAP 2021/22 heating season opened on October 1, 2021, including regular HEAP benefits, the Heating Equipment Repair or Replacement Benefit (HERR), and Clean and Tune Benefits. Please visit https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/ for more information.
 
Recipients of HEAP benefits may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year to help pay for heating costs. Eligibility and benefits are based on income, household size, the primary heating source, and the presence of a household member who is under age 6, is age 60 or older or has a permanent disability. Regular benefits for households that pay directly for heat based on actual usage are paid directly to the vendor that supplies the household's primary source of heat. HEAP recipients can use HEAP approval letters as documentation to support Con Ed reduced rate programs and Verizon Lifeline.  
 
A household may be eligible for a regular benefit if:

  • Clients and/or household members are United States Citizens or qualified immigrants;
  • The household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides; or
  • The applicant is in receipt of:
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or
  • Temporary Assistance or
  • Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone)
 
To apply, please contact 212-331-3126 or visit the ACCESS HRA website for instructions here. HEAP applications are available for download here. Please note, the HEAP application can be downloaded from ACCESS HRA, but cannot be submitted through ACCESS HRA at this time. All HEAP applications need to be completed, signed by the applicant or their authorized representative and returned by mail or dropped off at a designated HEAP assistance location. There is no need to come into a Center. The completed application can be mailed back to HRA at:
 
NYC DSS/HRA/HEAP
PO Box 1401
Church Street Station
New York, NY 10008
 
Applicants can check on the status of a HEAP application by calling the State OTDA Helpline at 800-342-3009.
 
HEAP Application Assistance

While there is no need to come into an HRA Center to apply for HEAP, HRA has representatives providing HEAP application assistance to potential clients in six FIA job centers and in four community sites. These representatives provide assistance with completing applications and will forward applications to the HEAP central office for processing. Individuals applying for benefits can also drop off applications and documents at these locations.

The HRA sites are listed below (open Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm):

Waverly Job Center
12 W. 14th Street
4th floor
New York, NY 10011
 
Coney Island Job Center
3050 West 21st Street
Brooklyn, NY 11214
 
Rider Job Center
300 Canal Place
Bronx, NY 10451
 
Crotona Job Center
1910 Monterey Avenue
5th floor
Bronx, NY 10457
 
Queens Job Center
32-20 Northern Boulevard
(enter on Honeywell Street)
2nd floor
Long Island City, NY 11101
 
Richmond Job Center
201 Bay Street
2nd floor
Staten Island, NY 10301

HRA representatives are also located in the following community locations:

Boro Park Jewish Community Council (Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9 am – 5 pm)
1310 46th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11219
 
Margert Community Council (Mondays 9 am – 5 pm)
325 Beach 37th
Far Rockaway, NY 11691
 
Assemblyman Ron Kim's Office (Wednesdays and Thursdays 9 am – 5 pm)
136-20 38th Avenue, Suite 10A
Queens, NY 11354
 
State Senator Leroy Comrie's Office (Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 am – 5 pm)
113-14 Farmer's Boulevard
Queens, NY 11412
 
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Regular Arrears Supplement (RAS)
 
The State HEAP Regular Arrears Supplement is a one-time benefit funded with the HEAP appropriation received under the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This benefit is being made available to help pay gas and/or electricity utility arrears and will be available from September 22, 2021 through September 30, 2022 or until funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first. The application for this benefit will be released shortly.

RAS benefits are a Regular HEAP supplement available to assist HEAP eligible households who have electricity and/or gas account arrears. The one-time benefit is based on the actual amount of current utility arrears, up to a maximum of $10,000 per applicant household. Benefits are paid directly to the household’s gas and/or electric utility vendor(s), and only one RAS benefit per current electricity and/or gas account is permitted.
 
Households may be eligible if:

  • Heat is natural gas or electricity
  • Income is at or below the current income guidelines as posted in this table or the applicant receives Family Assistance, Safety Net Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) or Code A Supplemental Security Income,
  • All of the eligibility criteria to receive a Regular HEAP benefit in the current program year has been met,
  • The applicant must be the customer of record for the electricity and/or gas account(s), or must document that they pay the utility vendor(s) directly for the bill(s)
  • The vendor is paid directly for gas and/or electricity usage, and
  • The current gas and/or electricity account(s) is/are in active collection, or otherwise facing disconnection or termination due to unpaid arrears.
 
Note that there is no resource test for the RAS benefit and that arrears for domestic electricity do not have to be heat related.
 
Additional information on how to apply will be provided as soon as it is available.
 
Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Increase Details
 
The updated SNAP standards that go into effect on October 1, 2021 have been released. The State notice to SNAP recipients outlining these new standards can be found here. 
 
Please find the new Federal Poverty Limit (FPL) thresholds effective October 1, 2021 at the end of this communication.

Below is a recap of what we have shared previously on the impact on benefits of the October 1, 2021 increase:
 
Emergency Allotments:

In March 2020, SNAP benefits began being supplemented with emergency allotments each month, so that households that were not receiving the maximum benefit for their household size began receiving a supplement to bring them to that level it. In April 2021, the emergency allotment amounts were modified so that the minimum monthly SNAP emergency allotment was $95, even for households already receiving the maximum benefit allotment. These emergency allotments – with the minimum amount of $95 – will continue for one month beyond the end of the federal public health emergency. The public health emergency is currently set to end in October 2021, with emergency allotments ending in November 2021.  
 
SNAP benefit increases:

Beginning in January 2021, the maximum SNAP benefit amount was increased temporarily by 15%, and this temporary increase will expire on September 30, 2021. However, effective October 1, 2021, permanent changes to the Thrifty Food Plan (that the US Department of Agriculture uses to calculate SNAP benefits) will go into effect, resulting in a sizeable increase in the maximum benefit amounts by household size.
 
Through the end of September 2021, both emergency allotments and the 15% benefit increase will be in effect. For the months of October and November 2021, both emergency allotments and the permanent SNAP increase will be in effect. Beginning in December, emergency allotments will no longer be issued (unless the public health emergency is extended), but the permanent SNAP increase will remain in effect.
 
Please refer to this chart for additional details about the federal changes.
 
Grab and Go Meal Service Update
 
As the Get Food meal service is being phased out, all existing Get Food clients are being contacted to ensure that they are connected with appropriate resources should they need continued food assistance. This effort is coupled with a significant investment in the infrastructure of food resources for the City to ensure that these ongoing needs are being met. 
 
Hurricane Ida Relief to Undocumented New Yorkers
 
Governor Hochul and Mayor de Blasio have announced a $27 million relief fund for undocumented New Yorkers whose homes flooded during Tropical Storm Ida, but who were previously ineligible for federal financial relief based on their immigration status.
 
People seeking to qualify can call the state’s Office of New Americans Hotline at 1-800-566-7636 between 9am and 8pm on weekdays. A network of community-based organizations in each of the impacted counties are also available to assist with applications, which are due by November 26, 2021.
 
The following are the nonprofits handling applications for relief funds in NYC:

Bronx

  • Catholic Charities Community Services, 402 East 152nd Street, Bronx, NY 10455

Brooklyn

  • Chinese American Planning Council, 4101 8th Ave, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11232

Queens

  • MinKwon, 133-29 41st Avenue, Suite 202, Flushing, NY 11355; and

  • Make the Road, 92-10 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372

Staten Island

  • Make the Road, 161 Port Richmond Ave, Staten Island, NY 10302

Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Inquiries
 
As a reminder, all P-EBT related inquiries should be directed to the State’s P-EBT Food Benefits Helpline at 1-833-452-0096 or to the P-EBT Information Form at otda.ny.gov/PEBT-Info to submit questions in writing. OTDA’s SNAP COVID-19 webpage (https://otda.ny.gov/SNAP-COVID-19/ ) also provides information about P-EBT and links to further and more detailed information about P-EBT.
 
Electrify NYC
 
On September 20, New York City launched ElectrifyNYC, a program run by the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Sustainability, in partnership with Kinetic Communities, and Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens and Staten Island. ElectrifyNYC will provide free services for owners of one- to four-unit family homes, particularly low- and moderate-income families to reduce energy costs, improve comfort and air quality, and cut greenhouse gas emissions. The program is designed to create equitable access to green technologies through no-cost technical assistance for property owners and promote just workforce development for contractors with a focus on Minority & Women-Owned Businesses (MWBEs) and priority population organizations. New Yorkers can learn more by contacting ElectrifyNYC at ElectrifyNYC@KC3.nyc and (718) 500-0172.
 
Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program
 
On Tuesday, September 28, 2021, the Biden Administration issued a proposed rule to reinstate the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program. DACA was introduced under the Obama Administration in 2012 to protect individuals brought to the US as children from deportation. Since the program’s inception, over 825,000 immigrants have enrolled in DACA. DACA had been suspended by the Trump Administration, then reinstated through litigation in December 2020, but later enjoined by a Texas Court in July of 2021.
 
The new proposed rule does not differ in any significant way from the DACA Program as it had been initially proposed and put into effect, continuing the requirements of needing to have arrived in the US before age 16, being in the US on June 15, 2012, and continually residing in the US since arriving. The rule has a 60-day comment period before it can be finalized.
 
IDNYC Updates
 
IDNYC has now reopened a total of 14 public enrollment centers throughout the five boroughs. Capacity is limited and appointments are required. Open sites and hours of operation can be found on the IDNYC website here.
 
The IDNYC On-the-Go/Mobile Command Center is deployed at various locations across the City. On October 13 and 14 (W/Th) from 10 am – 4:30 pm, the Mobile Command Center will be deployed near the Alianza Ecuatoriana Internacional in Queens (104-08 Roosevelt Avenue, Queens). Appointments are recommended and walk-ins will be accepted when consistent with COVID social distancing guidelines. A list of upcoming Mobile Command Center locations can be found on the locations page of the IDNYC website here (under “pop-up enrollment centers”).
 
Appointments can be made on the IDNYC website here.
 
Department of City Planning - Census 2020 Data
 
Based on the 2020 census, NYC’s Department of City Planning website has been updated with 2020 Census resources and data available here. As with each decennial census, 2020 Census operations included the revision of census tracts and blocks, and an interactive guide is available here. Additional resources include:

  • The City Planning's BYTES of the BIG APPLE™ webpage, which has a new Census section to host the geographic boundary files for 2020 Census Blocks, Tracts, NTAs, and CDTAs. 
  • This Fall, the American Community Survey (ACS) subsection of the City Planning website will publish ACS data for the 2015-2019 five-year period estimates in 2020 geographic terms.
  • The NYC Population FactFinder application will be updated with 2020 Census geographies and data. Look for this update in October.

Re-opening of HRA Centers
 
At this time, all HRA Job Centers are open with the exception of the St. Nicholas Job Center located at 132 West 125th Street in Manhattan.
 
As a reminder, most HRA business can be conducted online using ACCESS HRA now that the phone interview waiver for Cash Assistance applications, recertifications, and drug/alcohol needs and domestic violence screenings has been made permanent, in addition to the pre-pandemic SNAP application and recertification interview waiver which already permitted phone interviews. This means that clients do not need to come into a Center to apply for Cash Assistance, make case changes or conduct related screenings to qualify for these benefits. 

Community-wide Conference Call
 
We appreciate your continued participation on our weekly briefing calls and your ongoing work to help make sure that the critical information and details about changes we are making in response to the pandemic are being communicated to our clients. Your active engagement is appreciated, and your questions and suggestions help us better understand the needs of those we serve and respond accordingly. 

The information contained in this communication is a synopsis of what was shared as well as new developments. 

Each week, we will provide all of the information included in each of our prior communications on our website on the COVID-19 Community Updates page. If you would like to reference a specific prior communication, links to each of the prior communications can be found on the community updates page.
 
As a reminder, we have a standing informational call on Tuesdays at 4:00PM. In the event that the date or time of the weekly call needs to change due to extenuating circumstances, a notification is sent out from DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov, in addition to an updated calendar invitation to those who have signed up to join the calls. To be added to this list, please reach out to DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
 
Please note that there are several hundred participants on these weekly calls, and as a result they may start a few minutes late to allow as many people to join as possible and hear all the information. In addition, the large number of participants does not allow us to have individual conversations efficiently, which is why we respond to individual inquiries through the chat box. If you have additional questions after the call, please reach out to DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov or the appropriate contact area listed on our COVID 19 Community Updates page.
 
CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) is available during these calls as an accommodation for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Please contact oria@dss.nyc.gov at least four hours prior to the call to enable this service.
 
As always, thank you for your continued partnership in serving New Yorkers in need, particularly now when our clients need us more than ever. If you have any questions or concerns about the changes we have made and are continuing to develop to address the COVID pandemic, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of Advocacy and Outreach at DSSoutreach@dss.nyc.gov.
 
Sincerely,
 

Steven Banks
DSS Commissioner
New York City Department of Social Services